Golf providing Auburn-Opelika with tourism boost

Those planning to take a flight to Atlanta may want to take their golf clubs and play the courses at Auburn-Opelika as good reviews have made the town the place to play.

A positive review in Golf Digest Magazine has helped prompt an 11 per cent increase in tourist spending in the town, reports the Opelika-Auburn News.

Figures produced by the Auburn-Opelika's show that tourists spent $190.3 million last year and helped to sustain over 4,000 jobs in the surrounding area.

Commenting on the figures, John Wild, president of the tourism bureau, told Opelika-Auburn News: "I was just amazed at the continued growth in tourism here."

"I think the designation as number one golf city in the US really helped," he added.

The Auburn and Opelika Tourism Bureau states that the twin cities owe their number one status to three courses – the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's Grand National, Indian Pines and Saugahatchee CC.

However, visitors to the Auburn-Opelika can also participate in a range of other activities.

The tourist board also highlights the area for its "historic downtown shopping districts" and "chic village centres", as well as for its "outdoor and family recreational opportunities" which include the Speed Slide at Surfside Water Park.

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